Page 34 of Unbearable Player

“Tick-Tock, gorgeous. Unless you want my mother to think we’re late because you couldn’t get enough of me.”

“Reid!”

Twenty minutes later, they were seated at a cozy café near Central Park. Reid watched as his mother, Catherine, sized up Brianne with keen eyes.

“So,” Catherine said, stirring her tea, “you’re the young lady who’s got my son running around the city playing detective.”

Brianne laughed, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. “Guilty as charged. Though in my defense, I didn’t exactly plan on having my work stolen by a group of high-tech thieves.”

Catherine’s stern expression melted into a warm smile. “Of course not, dear. I’m just glad Reid was there to help. He’s always had a knack for being in the right place at the right time. Did he ever tell you about the time he ‘rescued’ our neighbor’s cat?”

Reid groaned, knowing exactly where this was going. “Mother, please-”

“Oh, now this I have to hear,” Brianne said, leaning forward eagerly.

Catherine launched into the tale, describing how a ten-year-old Reid had climbed a tree to save what he thought was a stranded cat, only to discover it was a stuffed animal their neighbor used to scare away birds.

“He was stuck up there for hours,” Catherine said, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes. “His father had to call the fire department to get him down.”

Reid watched in amusement as Brianne snort-giggled, a sound so undignified and yet so utterly charming that it made his heart swell. She clapped a hand over her mouth, eyes wide with embarrassment, but that only made her laugh harder. Her shoulders shook, and soon, tears streamed down her face.

“Oh my god,” Brianne wheezed between giggles, “I can’t believe... the great Reid Parker... stuck in a tree... because of a stuffed cat.”

Reid felt his own laughter bubbling up, a deep, rumbling chuckle that he couldn’t contain. “In my defense,” he managed, wiping a tear from his eye, “it was a very realistic-looking stuffed animal.”

His mother, Catherine, was practically glowing with delight. “Oh, you should have seen him, Brianne,” she said, leaning in conspiratorially. “Picture this scrawny little boy, all limbs and determination, shouting at the firefighters that he didn’t need their help because he was ‘training to be a superhero.’”

Brianne lost it again, her laughter ringing out across the café. A few other patrons turned to look, but Reid couldn’t bring himself to care. The sight of Brianne, face flushed with laughter, eyes sparkling with joy, was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.

“Please,” Brianne gasped, “please tell me there are photos.”

Catherine’s eyes lit up. “Oh, honey, I have an entire album. Reid’s ‘superhero phase’ lasted a good three years. There’s the tree incident, the time he tried to make a grappling hook out of dental floss and paperclips, the infamous ‘cape malfunction’ at his school play...”

Reid groaned, burying his face in his hands. “Mother, I swear, if you bring out that album-”

“Too late!” Brianne chirped, already exchanging numbers with Catherine. “I am so coming over for a viewing party.”

As Reid watched them interact, sharing conspiratorial glances and inside jokes as if they’d known each other for years, he felt a warmth spread through his chest. This was everything he’d hoped for and more. Brianne fit into his world like she’d always been a part of it, her quick wit matching his mother’s dry humor perfectly.

He could picture it now - family dinners filled with laughter, holidays where Brianne’s creative chaos would clash hilariously with his mother’s rigid traditions, lazy Sundays where they’d all crowd around the TV to critique the latest superhero movies (with Brianne and Catherine ganging up to tease him about his childhood aspirations).

“Earth to Reid,” Brianne’s voice broke through his reverie. “Your mom just asked if you still sleep with your Superman pajamas.”

Reid blinked, realizing he’d been caught daydreaming. “I - what? Mother, I haven’t worn those in years!”

Catherine raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Then what was that red and blue ensemble I saw in your laundry last month when I visited?”

Brianne’s eyes widened with glee. “No way. Reid, please tell me you still have superhero pj’s. That’s too adorable.”

Reid felt his face heat, but he couldn’t help the smile that tugged at his lips. “They’re collector’s items,” he muttered, trying to maintain some dignity. “Limited edition.”

“Of course, they are, dear,” Catherine patted his hand sympathetically while Brianne dissolved into another fit of giggles.

As he watched the two most important women in his life bond over his embarrassing childhood stories, Reid felt a sense of completeness he’d never experienced. This was what he wanted - Brianne integrated into his life and part of his family. Her laughter mingled with his mother’s, her hand reaching for his under the table, her foot playfully nudging his ankle.

“You know,” Catherine said, reaching out to pat Brianne’s hand, “it’s been a long time since I’ve seen Reid this happy. Whatever you’re doing, keep it up.”

Reid saw Brianne’s expression soften, a mix of surprise and something deeper flickering in her eyes. “I... thank you, Mrs. Parker. Reid’s pretty special to me too.”

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